Why this is important: Norway does not currently permit dual citizenship. This means that if a foreigner living in Norway wishes to become Norwegian, they must renounce their citizenship from their home land. Conversely, if a Norwegian is living abroad and wishes to become a citizen of their adopted country, legally they must renounce their ties with Norway.

Allowing dual citizenship not only grants new citizens specific rights for political participation and representation, it is a symbolically welcoming gesture showing that the new citizen is valued not only for their function in the community, but also as a culturally distinct member of a society.

The forced renunciation of one’s original citizenship when becoming a Norwegian is a known obstacle in the naturalisation of foreigners residing in Norway. This leads to the exclusion of non-Norwegian residents to all political and social nationality rights that provides equal opportunity and genuine equal footing with Norwegian nationals, and it denies these benefits to Norwegian nationals living abroad.

Allowing dual citizenship will grant new citizens the right to vote and be politically active, a fundamental value of a democratic society whereby all who are under governmental rule should have the right to create the laws. It will ensure that political deliberations are expanded to all members of society who have a stake in the future of the country.

It will also permit job qualification in the public sector, the right to social entitlements, the right to represent Norway in sports, and it will remove a large hurdle that currently blocks the integration process for many foreigners living in Norway.

Traditional arguments against dual citizenship revolve around issues of national security and international law, and are most applicable only to a world in which individuals have single and stable residences. These arguments are misplaced and archaic in an age of mobility and globalisation. Human rights, minority rights and societal benefits must play a greater role in this debate.

Inequitably, Norway does permit dual citizenship under various legislative exceptions, and in cases of nations who do not officially inform the Norwegian government of the attainment of a new citizenship, dual citizenship is de facto tolerated.

Denmark is to pass a bill for dual citizenship under the new administration. This will mean that Norway will be among the five obstinate countries in the Schengen Area who do not permit dual citizenship, along with Austria, Estonia, Germany, and the Netherlands. It is time for Norway to join the modern age of transnationalism and allow dual citizenship, for the enhancement of an integrated, inclusive Norwegian society, and to the benefit of Norwegians who have chosen to live abroad. Also see Webpage: